‘In less than 70 words, Jesus gives us a prayer to learn by heart and a prayer to get inside our hearts, shaping the way we live.’ The Archbishop of York offers a short, beautifully illustrated guide to this famous prayer and what it means for us today.
‘The Lord’s Prayer comes from the heart of God to our hearts. It is a challenging prayer. It teaches us how to pray. But it also teaches us how to live. It is an invitation to live differently – to live the way Jesus shows us. In the Lord’s Prayer, we offer our thanks and our concerns to God. But this prayer teaches us something too. It is teaching us what we should want, what we need, what we should ask for and how we should behave. It is training our hearts. The Lord’s Prayer comes from the heart of God, via Jesus to our hearts, and through us to all the world, so that we can all pray ‘thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven’.’ Archbishop Stephen
The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most famous prayers in the world. It is said in almost every Christian church service, from the coronation of the King to the christening of a newborn child. For many people, it is the first prayer they ever learn. It is prayed by millions of people across the world each day and, at the last count, it has been translated into 1,437 languages.
In this handsome hardback book – beautifully illustrated throughout with original lino print illustrations by Jack Seymour – Archbishop Stephen explores and explains the words and meaning of this important prayer concisely and clearly, showing how the prayer focuses first on God and then on our needs. Themes explored include heaven, holiness, repentance, God’s kingdom, God’s vision for his world, forgiveness, evil, and God’s power.
Whether you know this simple prayer already or this is your first encounter, be inspired to learn about this prayer which is prayed by so many people around the world. The Lord’s Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide would also make an ideal Baptism, Holy Communion or Confirmation gift.
Archbishop Stephen is undertaking a tour of dioceses in the north of England, sharing the meaning and significance of the Lord’s Prayer. He will speak about the ongoing relevance of the Lord’s Prayer in today’s world, encouraging everyone to live by its powerful, transformative words.
Part of the Faith in the North initiative, the tour began at York Minster on 7 March and continues at Hull Minster on 28 March.
Find out more about Faith in the North and the Lord’s Prayer Tour
About the author and illustrator:
The author of many books for children and adults, Stephen Cottrell is the Archbishop of York, one of the most senior posts in the Church of England. However, his life’s work as a priest as well as a bishop has been to tell the story of the Christian faith in ways that are simple, compelling and lovely. This little book is just one more way of explaining and telling that story. When he isn’t ‘bishoping’, Stephen loves to walk, cook, eat and write. He also makes lino prints, though not nearly as good as Jack’s, though somehow one managed to sneak its way into this book! Stephen is married to Rebecca, who is a potter. They have three sons, two grandchildren and one dog, Molly.
Jack Seymour is an English teacher, graphic designer and illustrator. He has worked with various organisations – including the British and Irish Lions, Land Rover, Google, Ordnance Survey and The Stewards’ Trust – as well as illustrating books and book covers. He works in lino, etching, monoprint, pen & ink and watercolour.